At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a global team to develop innovative aircraft interior products and manage project delivery.
- Company: Dynamic aerospace company with a focus on innovation and teamwork.
- Benefits: 25 days annual leave, competitive salary, bonus scheme, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid work model with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Join a cutting-edge industry and make a real impact on aircraft design and development.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in engineering, strong leadership skills, and excellent communication abilities.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Leighton Buzzard, United Kingdom – The Principal Project Engineer reports to the Senior Program Engineering Manager and collaborates with the Program Management Team supporting the Program Chief Engineer. Based in Leighton Buzzard, travel may be required to support the business or customers. The position allows flexibility to work remotely Monday and Friday, but on-site presence is required as needed.
What You Will Do
- Lead a global team of multi-disciplined engineers to develop aircraft interior products and be accountable to stakeholders for delivery.
- Define and maintain a clear, structured scope aligned to project objectives; control scope changes and develop robust schedules.
- Support development plans to achieve high first-pass yield at key gates.
- Validate task sequencing, dependencies, and critical path accuracy.
- Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks; drive risk reduction and retirement trends.
- Protect the program by resolving issues in a timely and structured manner and executing recovery plans.
- Act as the technical interface for all stakeholders; build customer relationships based on transparency and trust.
- Author, check, and approve technical documentation within delegation of authority.
- Monitor, report, and act upon key performance indicators to achieve predictable outcomes.
Experience & Qualifications We Prefer
- Self-starter with strong customer focus and a mindset for tackling challenges and creating solutions.
- At least 5 years of technical engineering or manufacturing experience.
- Proven ability to lead a cross-functional, global team through complex product development via a gated NPI process.
- Excellent communicator, capable of achieving desired outcomes through dialogue with stakeholders at all levels.
- Understanding of the aircraft interiors industry (certification, product development, customer expectations) is highly desirable.
- Proficiency with project management and engineering tools such as Teamcenter, Primavera, MS365, CATIA V5, etc.
- Solid application of fundamental project management methodologies.
What We Offer
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
- Competitive salary
- Bonus scheme
- Fantastic pension scheme
- Critical illness cover
- Income protection
- Private medical insurance, employee assistance programme, holiday purchase options, cycle-to-work scheme, and other employee discounts.
We are committed to equal opportunity employment. All qualified applications will be considered without regard to ethnicity, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristic protected by law.
Principal Project Engineer in Leighton Buzzard employer: Collins Aerospace
As a Principal Project Engineer at our Leighton Buzzard location, you will join a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. We offer a competitive salary, generous benefits including a fantastic pension scheme and private medical insurance, and the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements, ensuring a healthy work-life balance while contributing to innovative aircraft interior projects. Our commitment to equal opportunity employment fosters a diverse environment where every team member can thrive and make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Project Engineer in Leighton Buzzard
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who might know someone at the company you're eyeing. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a referral, which is gold when it comes to landing that Principal Project Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the company's projects and values. Show us you understand their mission and how your experience aligns with their goals. Tailor your examples to highlight your leadership in complex product development and your knack for building strong customer relationships.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job postings! Keep an eye on our website and apply directly. Sometimes, roles are filled before they even hit the job boards, so being proactive can give you the edge you need to get noticed.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your enthusiasm for the role can keep you top of mind. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in the position and ready to tackle challenges head-on.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Project Engineer in Leighton Buzzard
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Project Engineer role. Highlight your experience in leading global teams and managing complex projects, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges and created solutions in your previous roles. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to mention your proficiency with project management and engineering tools like Teamcenter and CATIA V5. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so make sure we know what you bring to the table!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Collins Aerospace
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to aircraft interiors and project management tools like Teamcenter and Primavera. Being able to discuss specific projects you've worked on and how you tackled challenges will show that you're not just a self-starter, but also someone who can lead a global team effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led cross-functional teams in the past. Think about times when you had to manage scope changes or mitigate risks. This will demonstrate your ability to handle complex product development and reassure them that you can keep projects on track.
✨Communicate Clearly
As an excellent communicator, you need to convey your ideas clearly and confidently. Practice articulating your thoughts on how you would build customer relationships based on transparency and trust. Remember, they want to see that you can engage with stakeholders at all levels.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific project scenarios, such as resolving issues or executing recovery plans. Prepare by thinking through potential challenges you might face in this role and how you would approach them. This will show your proactive mindset and problem-solving skills.
